Here’s an episode about taking risks. Sooner or later, we all take a risk at work or in our personal lives. To go out on a limb and to stick your neck out can be used to talk about taking a risk. You can also put yourself in jeopardy when you take a risk. Take a risk by listening to this episode and start using these natural English expressions today.

 

　　Maura: Now, this is an interesting expression, to go out on a limb, but there is a possible origin or a connection to trees.

　　Harp: Yes, because on a tree, a limb is an open, exposed branch, so it’s like one of the arms of the tree.

　　Maura: Exactly. And if you’re an animal who lives in trees and goes out on a limb, I mean actually goes on a limb, it’s a dangerous place to be because you’re exposed and maybe a hunter or a predator or someone who wants to get you could get you because they can see you.

　　Harp: Yes, definitely. Or the limb could break because it’s too weak.

　　Maura: Right. So that’s another danger when an animal goes out on a limb; the limb could break and the animal could fall to the ground. So going out on a limb actually is dangerous.